Mary Schmidt

Lifespan: December 15, 1859 – March 28, 1909

Summary

Born December 15, 1859 in Illinois. Daughter of John Schmidt (Germany) and Elizabeth Rabe (Germany). Never married. Died March 28, 1909 at 6 A.M. in St. Peter, Nicollet County, Minnesota, age 49. Buried March 30, 1909 in St. Peter.

Relationships

• Parents: John Schmidt (b. 1822, Mecklenburg) & Elizabeth Rabe (b. c. 1824, Prussia)
• Siblings: Elizabeth Schmidt (c. 1856–1918), Charles Frederick Schmidt (1864–1920), Amelia Ann Schmidt (c. 1866–?)

Sources

• Minnesota Certificate of Death, Register No. 153, Nicollet County — primary source
• 1880 US Census, Cleveland, Le Sueur County, Minnesota (line 41, age 20, daughter)

Research Notes

• Death certificate lists contributory cause as “Imbecile” — a period medical term indicating intellectual disability
• St. Peter, MN was home to the Minnesota State Hospital for the Insane — Mary was very likely a long-term resident
• Listed as “Single” with occupation “None” and no children
• Informant: “Elizabeth Schmidt, St. Peter, Minn.” — likely sister Elizabeth (b. c. 1856), who may also have been in St. Peter. Mother Elizabeth Rabe would have been ~85.
• Undertaker: Klein & Co., St. Peter, MN
• Physician: G.F. Merritt, M.D., St. Peter, MN
• 1880 census shows her at age 20 in father’s household in Cleveland, Le Sueur Co — living at home